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Today I finally used my membership to Tyler Arboretum in Media
Pa.
elevation 378'
http://www.tylerarboretum.org/
Tyler is one of the oldest and largest arboreta in the
northeastern United States, encompassing 650 acres of
horticultural collections, rare specimens, ancient trees,
historic buildings, and extensive hiking trails. The Arboretum
offers a wide variety of workshops, classes, and tours for both
adults and children, as well as school groups, scout groups, and
clubs. As a private, not-for-profit organization, Tyler is not
government supported. The Arboretum survives and thrives on the
support of our members and donors. Please browse our site, then
plan a visit to this unique and beautiful destination, where we
connect neighbors with nature.
Tyler Arboretum was originally the land of Thomas Minshall, an
English Quaker. The land was granted to him by William Penn in
1681. The property was handed down through several generations
of the Minshall, Painter, and Tyler families. In 1944 the
property was bequeathed to the public as an Arboretum. A few
trees remain from the original grant date, one is the state
co-champion tulip poplar at 420 points. About 20 trees remain
from the Painter brothers 1825 collection. Cedar of Lebanon,
Oriental Spruce, Bald Cypress, and Giant Sequoia are four that
are recognized by the State champion tree program.
Rocky Run
Today I followed Rocky Run from the Main house down into the
woods to where it intersects with Dismal Run, which in turn
enters into Ridley creek. I was surrounded with spring
ephemerals! Mayapple, blood root, trout lily, cut leaved tooth
wort, false solomons seal, spring beauty, and skunk cabbage
among others.
May Apple: Ephemerals
I was surprised at the amount of trout lily
flowers, as I was told they bloom on a seven year cycle. I have
never seen as many flowers as I saw today. The ferns were
sprouting to the point that it looked like someone buried a
thousand violins. Maple leaf viburnum shared the understory with
Spicebush, witch hazel, and Arrowwood viburnum. Hornbeam,
Hophornbeam, red maple, and smaller hardwoods were next. The
canopy consisted of Red, White, Chestnut, Scarlet and Black oak.
Pignut, Bitternut, Shagbark, shellbark, and Mockernut Hickories.
Tulip poplar, beech, white ash, Black Walnut and mazzard cherry.
I didn't see any birch. Rocky run is just that.
Hillside with the boys
It slowly winds
down through an open, wide draw, exposing all sizes of dark grey,
rounded boulders and some quartz. The sides of the draw are not
steep, and it is easy to walk straight up. Here is what I found
for girth and heights:
Tulip poplar 137.0
x 11.1
Tulip poplar 141.5
x 13.4
Shagbark 126.1
x 6.5
Shellbark 110.2
x 5.7
Shellbark 126.1
x 5.5
White ash 120.6
x 7.6
Red oak 114.9
x 8
Bitternut 126.8
x 8.2
Black oak 129.5
x 9.9
Beech 116.9
x 11.2
White oak 115.5
x 8
Pignut 113.3
x 6
Rucker for ten species is 123.1
137' by 11' Tulip poplar |
141' by 13' Tulip Poplar |
I only spent about 4 hours in the draw, and I think some of
these can be beat. Very skinny trees for the height. There were
MANY more trees that were over 12'CBH, but had little height.
Other native trees in the garden were:
Bald cypress 107.6
x 12.8
River birch 70.2
x 10.3
Vernal Witch Hazel 27.9
x 1.25
Scarlet oak(?) 118.8
x 14.6 (may be red oak)
Giant Sequoia 95.4
x 12.9
White pine 91.0
x 11.8
I will find out about the scarlet/red oak, as once it is
identified, it will change the rucker. It is just outside the
garden area in the woods. If it is a red oak, the rucker would
be 123.5. If it is a scarlet, the rucker would be 124.0.
Strange birds
Thanks for your time! Scott
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